Sexual health in Chile: A descriptive approach to sexual behavior and satisfaction of Chileans [Salud sexual en Chile: Una aproximación descriptiva al comportamiento y la satisfacción sexual de los chilenos]

Background: In 2006, the World Health Organization endorsed the concept of "sexual health" as a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality. Thus, it corresponds to a broader concept that the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity, being related to a general level of well-being. Despite the relevance of the concept, locally, there is still scarce empirical evidence about it. Aims: The article analyses the concept of "sexual health" among the Chilean general population. Methods: In order to achieve this objective, a probabilistic, polyphasic and stratified sample was designed for the province of Santiago, being surveyed 767 people over 18 years, through a self-reported method in their own households. Results: The study shows differences by gender and age in both sexual satisfaction and safe sexual behaviours. Conclusion: It is possible to conclude that men begin their sexual life earlier, have more sexual partners and report higher sexual satisfaction than women, except for the youngest cohort. Women, in turn, report higher levels of protection and care of sexual life.